Receptacle closure



Jan.4,1938. l c. G. NATHE.JR l l- 2,104,593

A I RECEPTACLE cLosURE Filed May 7, 1932 Patented Jan. 4, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,104,593 i nEcEPTAcIn cLosUnE Charles G. Nathe, Jr., St. Cloud, Minn. Application May 7, 1932, seal'No. 609,866`

17 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in milk bottle caps and has, as its principal object, to provide a cap, a portion of which is capable of being moved and manipulated to form a spout.

I am aware that heretofore milk vbottle caps have been provided with a pouring opening covered with a pull-tab, so that when the tab is provide a spout-forming element which is an integral part of the material of the cap, and which is of the same thickness as that'material; and which has side-forming elements which coopervate with a portion of the body of the cap to secure the spout in operative position for pouring.

Features of the invention include all the details of construction, along with the broader ideas of means inherent in the disclosure.v

Objects, features and advantages of the invention will be set -forth in the description of the drawing forming a part of this application, and in said drawing Figu're 1 is an outer face view of a milk bottle cap embodying the principles of this invention;

' I Figure 2 is an inner face. view;

Figure 3 is a face or outside viewwith the spout operatively positioned for pouring; and

Figure 4 is a diametricsection on line 4 4 of `Figure 3.

It Awill be noted that in the drawing, the material of the cap has been shown as laminated. However, this has only been done to' show the line of cleavage between portions of the paper material, resultant naturally from its method of manufacture. Of course, no limitation is intended by' this statement, because in some instances the cap may be formed by pasting two elements together. caps or other receptacle covers are made of two pieces of material pasted together.

For convenience of description only, a two-ply construction is numerically referred to. Numerals I and 2 respectively indicate -rst -and second, or inner and outer plies of the cap materal. To form the larger portion of the spout, the front lamination is cut as at 3, 4, 5, 6to form a somewhat tri-angular tab 8 which is connected to the lamination I, only on line 9, which line Quite frequently, milk bottle may indicate scoring asv by pressing. This cutting provides -a recess I0, shown in. Figure 3.

The inner lamination 2 is cut out as at I3, I4, I5 to form substantially a horseshoe-shaped pouring opening, of less area. than the tab 8, and to also provide a tab I6'of corresponding area. The

tab I6 is bendable along a cut, made at I'I, which cut does not extend entirely through the lamination 2. Bending is thus facilitated. The tab I6 is cut as at I9 tofacilitate bending and the tab 8 is also cut partly through as at 20, along the same line as the cuts I9 of the part I'I. This slitting provides, in the case of the element 8, portions 2I which are bendable toward one another, and in case of the tab I6 provides portions 22 which move with the portions 2|. A spout is thus provided having the same thickness as the body of the cover` or cap.

The inner edges 25 of portions 2| lie within the depression II), as best shown in Figure 4, and the outer corners 26 engage against the sides of the depression I0 as stops to prevent outward movement and to secure the side-forming elements of the spout, as well as the spout itself, in operative position. Thel opening formed by the cuts I3, Hand I5 functions as a pouringv opening, which (see Figure 1) is normally closed by the spout-forming element 2|, when this elementy is in recess I0.

When the rear edge of theV elements 2l are engaging the bottom ofthe recess I0, the spout isheld substantially at the angle shown in Figure 4, and the resiliency of the material tends to force the elements 2| outwardly in the direction of the arrows, see Figure 3, against the sides of the recess I0. In practice, this force is considerable inasmuch as the elements 2I and 22- are bent upwardly against the resilient action of the material, and after being brought to the position of Figure 4 and released they exert an outward pressure, and thus a, kind of frictional lock is obtained.

It will be noted that the thickness of the spout portion is the same thickness as the body portion ofthe cap, and this spout is substantially composed of two non-coplanar parts of unequal area. Both parts have, in addition, portions which are bendable against the resiliency of the material, to form the sides of the spout, and the cap has the recess I0 resultant from operations by which 4one of the parts isformed. One of the parts is y the opening normally closes this opening when the other portion is in the recess.

Referring to Figure 1: The spout-forming element also acts as a tab by which the cap can be removed from the bottle, and in order to facilitate pullingV out and gripping, its top is cut away as at 21. In some instances, this cut-away portion is dispensed with, however, and an extra tab 30 is formed on the spout-forming tab 8. For this purpose, the tab 8 is cut through as at 3l to intersect the scoring cuts 2li-20, to give the somewhat circular tab 30 which is integral with the material along bend line 3|. A reenforcing wire staple 33 is arranged at the bend line, as shownd The tab I6 forms a backing for the recess 35, formed by cutting to provide the pulltab 30. The tab 8 is also cut as at 36 toprovide for the introduction of the nger nail beneath the ap 30 to move it to a position where it can be grasped by the thumb and forefinger. It will be understood, of course, that the tab 30 may be dispensed with, in which case the apical portion of the spout-forming element will be cut as at 21. lIn case the tab 30 is used, this cut 21 will not be made and the cut 36 will be made instead. The use of the pull tab 30 is advisable so that the fingers do not touch the end of the spout, which is more sanitary.

Separate features of the invention Y include: the use of a swingable spout-forming portion having portions which are bendable and the provision of means on the cap with which these bendable portions are engageable to secure the spout in operative position; the integral relation ofthe swingable spout-forming portion to the cap; the'reenforced two-ply spout-forming portion; the formation from resilient'rnaterial with the arrangement such that the side-forming portions, by their resiliency, act to secure the spout in operative position; the use of the sides of a recess as stops with which the side-forming portions are engageable; the use of two superposed movable integral spout-forming portions; the use of two-ply paper with one of the plies cut to provide an integral portion which normally lies n the depression formed by cutting and which closes and seals an opening in the other ply; and generally all details of construction shown, or disclosed.

'Ihere is no intention to be entirely limited to exact structure, because a single'new-feature herein, is the integral spout-forming portion in which the sides of the spout cooperate with the body portion of the cap to secure the spout in operative position.

Again it is to be noted that the invention includes the use of paper material, such as cardboard, which has at least one natural line of cleavage, as distinguished from material which is composed of two laminations glued together. The various cuttings are made from opposite sides and are a few thousandths of an inch deeper than half the thickness of the material. By these cuts, the line of cleavage is determined. It is believed this is a new departure in the manufacture of caps, and, of course, particularly as applied to formation of an integral spout having a thickness equal to that of the cap or cover material.

It will be noted that the creases or scoring represented bythe lines I9 of Figure 2, and the knife-cuts represented by the numerals 20 of Figure 1 are substantially parallel, but are not in exact opposition to one another at opposite sides of the cap. but the lines I9 are about one therefore, be open at one side.

line than the lines 20, to insure correct bending.,

This isa feature.

The hair-cut represented by the line Il is about .005 of an inch deep and is substantially in opposition tothe score line 9, see Figure 1, and both lines are spaced inwardly from' the base cuts 3 4, or toward the center of the cover. Therefore, the edges 25-25 are caused to tightly engage the bottom of the nitch or depression l to hold the spout in operative position. The manner of making the cuts and their relations are also features'of the invention.

There is no intention to limit the invention to the out-springing of the sides 2l in the direction of the arrow (Figure 3) as the only means for securing the spout in operative position. Since the spout is bent downwardly or outwardly along line 9 against the resiliency of the material, the tendency of the spout is to swing upwardly from its position in Figure 4 and this up-springing forces edges 25 against the body of the cap and thus` the spout sides are held. It is, therefore, not absolutely necessary to have a recess I0, nor to have the shoulders formed by cutting as at 6 because the rear edges 25 of the elements 2| will remain in frictional contact with the corresponding surfaces in the manner mentioned.

It is to be further noted lthat there is no intention` to limit the invention to the location of the pouring opening since this pouring opening may intersect the periphery of the cap, and, In this case, the cuts 5 and 6 will intersect the periphery.

It is to be further noted that the convergent relation of the lines lil-Ill;y 20-20 of the spout not only provides for convergent relation of the spout, but the more than 90,degrees angular relation of the lines 20 and 6 to the diameter of the body (see Figure lil results in a less than V ninety degrees relation when the spout is at out- -standing operative positionv (see Figure 4), which is of prime advantage because if this relation is not had, liquid tends to run over the sides of the spout at points 26 before the spout tip is low enough for the liquid to reach the outer or nar row portion.

and a recess at the outer side of the sheet of of the sides of the spout.

2. A receptacle cover comprising material having scoring on its inner and outer faces defining a pouring opening, an integral hinging line, spout and closure fori the opening. and a recess at the outer side of the material, said spout and closure having at the outer side of the cover scoring defining spout bottom and sides with.

the spout sides adapted to abuttingly engage the sides of the recess to secure the spout and its side-forming portions in operative position.

3. A receptacle cover comprising material havving and a portion of a spout having integral` ing scoring on its inner and outer faces defining a pouring opening, an integral hinging line, spout and closure for the opening, and a recess at the outer side of the material of larger area than and surrounding said pouring opening, said spout and closure having at the outer side oithe cover scoring defining spout-bottom and sides, with the spout sides adapted to abuttingly engage the sides of the recess to secure the spout and its side-forming portions in operative posi-u tion.

4. A receptacle cover comprising material having scoring on its inner and outer faces defining a pouring opening, an integral hinge line, spout and closure for the opening, and a recess at the outer side of the material of larger area than and surrounding said pouring opening, said spout and closure having at the outer side of the cover scoring defining spoutv bottom and sides with the spout sides extended laterally beyond ,the pouring opening, and ends'of the hinge line,

the inner ends of the spout sides being adapted to abuttingly 'engage the sides of the recess and secure the spout and its side-forming portions in operative position.

5. A closure cap comprising material having scoring on its inner side defining a pouring openhinging connection with the material, and having scoring on its outer side defining a recess which surrounds the opening and defines another part of said spout, including foldable spout sides, the inner ends of each side being adapted after side-folding to abuttingly engage the bottom and a side wall of the recess to secure the spout and sides inoperative position.

6. A closure cap composed of two ply material, scoring through one ply defining an integral flap and a pouring opening, and scoring throughv the other ply defining a recess and another integral flap both larger than the rst mentioned flap and which normally lies inthe recess to. close' the opening, said aps being opposed to one another and being bendable to together form a spout, and both fiaps having scoring which defines sides for the spout, the ends of the sides being adapted to engage the sides of the recess to secure the same in spout-forming position.V

7. A bottle cap composed of two ply material, scoring on the outer side of one ply defining an integral ap and a pouring opening, and scoring on the outer side of the other ply defining a recess and another integral flap, both larger than the first mentioned flap and which normally lies in the recess to close the openig.' said flaps being opposed to one another and bein`g bendable to together form a spout,'-and both flaps having scoring which defines sides for the spout, the

ends of the sides being adapted to engage the f spout-side-forming portions, the spout as a whole adapted to enter the recess and having a bottom which enters and closes the opening, said spout being adapted to 'be held in pouring position by abutting engagement of the inner ends of said spout-side-forming portions with the bottom of the recess and by abuttingengagement of the side-forming portions with the sides of said recess.

g 9.-A receptacle cover composed of y suitable sheet material scored and cut inwardly from the inner, face to define and lprovide a pouring opening and the bottom and part of the sides of a hinged pouring spout, which spout normally fits within and sealingly closes said opening,l said cover being cut inwardly'from outer face to define and provide the remainder of said spout sides and to define a recess for said remainder 4provide a pouringv opening and the bottom and part of the sides of a hinged pouring spout, which spout normally fits within and sealingly closes said opening, said cover being cut inwardly from the outer face to a depth about equal to onehalf of the total thickness of said cover material to define and provide ,the remainder of said4 .spout sides and to define a recess forl said remainder of said sides within which they normally Asealingly lie and fit, which recess extends outwardly from and in part surrounds said opening,

the innermost portions of said sides being adapted after the spout is swung to pouring position; to

abut the outlying portion of the bottom of said recess and engage the sides of said recess to hold tha spout and sides in pouring position.

l1. A receptacle coverv composed of suitable sheet material cut inwardly from the inner face to a depth about equal to one-half 'the total thickness and also scored to define and provide a pouring opening and the bottom and part of integrally hinged sides of an integrally hinged pouring spout which parts normally t and sealingly close said opening, said cover being cut inwardly from the outer face to a depth about equal to about one-half the `thickness ofthe cover material and being also scored to define and provide the remainder of said spout sides and to define and provide a recess which extends beyond andv partly surrounds said pouring opening and in which recess the yremainder of said spout sides normally sealingly fit, said sides having innermost edge faces which' are adapted after the spout has been swung to pouring position to abut theV bottom surface of the recess at points laterally of said opening and said sides being adapted to abut the sides of said recess to be held in outwardly slanted spout-forming position against outward movement.

12.AA receptacle cover composed of suitable sheet material cut inwardly from the inner face to a depth about equal to one-half the total -`thickness and also scored to define and provide a pouring opening and the bottom and vpart of integrallyhinged sides of an integrally hinged pouring spout whichparts normally t and sealingly close said opening, said cover being cut inwardly from the outer face to a depth about equal to about one-half the thickness of the cover material and being also scored to define and provide the remainder of said spout sides and to deand partly surrounds said pouring opening and in which recess the remainder of said spout sides normally sealingly fit, said sides having innermost edge faces which are adapted after the spout has been swung to pouring position to abut the bottom surface of the recess' at points laterally of said opening and said sides being adapted .to abut the sides of said recess to be held in outwardly slanted spout-forming position againstoutward movement, said outer surface of said material being also. cut inwardly from the outer face to a depth equal to about one-half itsithickness and within the confines of the area of said spout bottom-forming portion, to dene and provide an integrally hinged spout pulling flap and recess therefor, said flap normally lying .in said recess and adapted to be swung outwardly therefrom.

13. An article formed from paper boardhavrecess to hold said spout in operative position.

14. A closure comprising a one piece single n `thickness cleavage material having scoring dening a single hinged spout-forming ap and an opening normally closed thereby and forming a recess on one face of the closure extending beyond and substantially surrounding the opening in which said ap lies, said flap having scoring defining spout bottom and integral spout sides, said spout sides being adapted for engagement with the sidewalls and the bottom Aof the recessl. at a point laterally of the opening to hold them" 5 and the spout in outstanding operative position.` 15. A receptacle closure comprising cleavage materiall having scoring on its outer side dening a spout-forming portion having a spout bottom having a hinge line at itsbase juncture with said closure, said bottom having hinged spout sides with the innermost edges `of which adjacent said bottom extending-laterally of a line parallel to said hinge line.

16. A receptacle closure comprising cleavage material having scoring on its outer side defining a spout-forming portion having a spout bottom having a. hinge line at its base juncture with said closure, said bottom having hingedspout sides which extend across a line coinciding with said hinge line with the innermost edges of said sides lying substantially parallel to said hinge line.

17. A receptacle cover formed of a sheet of cleavage material having scoring extending in-' wardly from its outer face to the plane of cleavage and dening a trough forming portion capable of being split from the cover, and having additional scoring extending from its inner face to said plane of 'cleavage and dening a pouring opening which the said trough forming portion normally covers, said trough forming portion including a spout bottom integrally hinged to said cover and scoring Idening integrally hinged trough sides, the end edges of the trough sides adjacent the hinge of the spout bottom extending laterally from the spout bottom.

CHARLES G. NATHE, JR. 

